Remote control device



Feb. 26, 1929 C. B. MIRICK REMOTE CONTROL 'DEVICE Filed Aug. 24, 1927 Carlos .5. Mz'rz'c/r Mwbw Patented Feb. 26, 1929. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARLOS B. MIRICK, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE.

Application filed August 24, 1927. Serial No. 215,248.

. This requires the synchronizing of the transmitter and the receiver circuits, so that when the actuating impulses are transmitted at synchronously tuned intervals the receiver will be in a proper condition to select the circuit to beactuated.

The timing of the impulses and the intervals between them have heretofore been governed in the transmitter by the speed of the sending commutator which is normally locked in a given position and released for one revolution whenever a train of signals is sent. The receiver operates in a similar manner and contains a commutator normally locked in a given position and released for one revolution at the same instant as the sending commutator. These commutators are driven by constant speed motors which are adjusted to synchronous speeds and maintained in this condition by governing devices. 11 these remote control devices the motors must run continuously and be maintained in absolute synchronism or a variance in the circuits controlled will occur.

The object of my invention is to eliminate these motors and to substitute in their place clock mechanisms including a spring driven train of gears with an escapement mechanism that run only during the eriods at which the signals are being sent an received, thus effecting great saving i weight and energy. These spring driven echanisms are so highlydeveloped and well known that they are to be hereinafter referred to as clock mechanisms without further detailed description thereof. 1

Another object of my invention is to incorporate a mechanismfor rewinding the driving mechanisms during the period between signals. Since these rewinding mechanisms run but intermittently and need not run synchronously, further ain in simplicity, weight and energy is e ected.

Furtherobjects of my invention Will appear more fully hereinafter as the description of the method and apparatus is developed.

My invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts associated therewith or as will be more fully hereinafter set forth as shown by the ac companying drawings and finally pointed out 1n the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing showing the embodiment of my invention in which numerals 1, 2 and 3 designate .three commutator ClISCS mounted upon a single shaft 4. There is a tendency for the shaft 4 to rotate in a clockwise direction produced by any standard spring and escapement mechanism not shown. This rotation 1s prevented by a latch 5 which is held against the surface of a cam 6 that is rigidly attached to the disc 2. Adjacent one side of this latch is an electro-magnet 7. The latch 5 is held against the surface of the cam and against the pull exerted thereon by the re-- siduary magnetism in the electromagnet by means of a spring 8. The other end of the shaft 4 is mechanically coupled to the shaft of the rewinding motor 9 which is so wound that, when current passes through the windings of the motor, it will turn the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction.

. The disc 1 is made of insulating material and has a conductive segment '10 in its pe riphery. Against the periphery of this disc bear a brush 11 and a plurality of brushes 12. The conductive segment 10 is connected to a slip ring 13 against which bears a brush 14. that forms the other electrical connection to the disc 1.

The disc 2 is made of conductive material and has an insulating segment 15 in its periphery. Against the periphery of this disc bears a brush 16. The hub of the disc 2 forms a slip ring against which bears a brush 17 that forms the other electrical connection to the disc 2.

The disc 3 is similar to the disc 1 but has only one brush 18 bearing on its periphe to engage the conductive segment 19. This disc has a slip ring 19' against which bears a brush 20 that forms the other electrical contact with the disc 3.

The electrical connections of the device constitute four distinct circuits, which are as follows: The master relay and the electromagnetic latch circuit consists of a connection from the source of power 21, throughthe master relay 23, the brush 14, the slip ring 13, the con ucting segment -10, the brush 11,

the coil 7 of the electromagnetic latch and to the other terminal of the source of power. The rewinding circuit consists of a connection from the terminal of the source of power 21, through the coil 22 ofthe rewinding relay 25, the contacts 24, the brush 17 the disc 2, the brush 16 and to the other terminal of the source of power. The substitute rewinding relay circuit consists of a connection from the 7 At the initial position, that shown in the drawing, three of the circuits are open, but the rewinding relay circuit is closed. There is a continuous flow of current through the coil 22 of the rewindingrelay in a closed position. v

When the first of a train of signals is received the contacts of the master relay 23 shift from the RS position to the RM position. This causes current to flow from the source of power through the master relay and electromagnetic latch circuit. This flow of current through the coil 7 of the electromagnetic latch efl'fects a movement of the latch 5 away from the cam 6 on the disc 2.

The clock mechanism then starts a clockwise rotation of the discs. As the discs rotate the Segment 10 first opens the circuit of the electromagnet 7 allowing the latch 5 to become ready for engagement with the cam 6. Then the segment 10 passes under the various brushes 12 for the activation of the-difli'erent selective mechanisms. I When the discs approach the end of one complete revolution and the train of signals has ceased the contacts of the master relay 23 shift to the RS position and the insulating segment 15 passes under the brush 16, openin the rewinding relay circuit. This per:

nuts the contacts 24 of the rewinding relay.

25'to open and the contacts 26 to close. As the motor 9 rotates the discs in a counterclock-wise direction the segment 15. passes from under the brush 16. This operation alone however. does not reclose the? rewinding relay circuit for by the movement of the.

armature of the rewinding relay 25 the contacts 24 opened the rewinding relay circuit in a second place.

When the rewinding motor has rotated the discs in the counterclock-wise direction for an angular movement of slightly less than one revolutionthe conducting se ment 19 passes under the brush 18 and the su stitute rewinding relay circuit is closed. This causes a flow of current from the source or ower 21, through the coil 22 of the rewln ing relay 25 which efiects an opening of the contacts 26 and a closing of the contacts 24.

When the flow. of'current through the rewinding motor 9 has been stopped in this manner, the clock mechanism then tends to rotate the discs in a clockwise direction. Any rotation of the discs in this direction, however, is prevented by the engagement of the latch 5 with the cam 6 of the disc 2. The circuits are then in the initial position above described, from which position the device will operate in a similar manner upon the receipt of another train of signals. It is to be understood that the synchronizing system in the transmitter is identical with that described in this receiver circuit. By the accurate timing possible with the clock mechanism the transmitter and the receiver may be operated without Variation.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention and that minor detail changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims without sacrificing anylof theadvantages of my invention.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim is as follows:v

. 1. In remote control devices comprising a transmitter and a receiver, means for synchronizing said transmitter and said receiver, each of said means consisting of a rotatable controller member; a clock mechanism for rotating the said controller member during the transmission of a series of signals, a rewinding motor for rewinding the said clock mechanism, and means upon the controller member for operating the rewinding motor during the periods when the transmitter is inoperative.

'2'. In remote control devices comprising a transmitter and receiver, means for synchronizing said transmitter and said receiver, each of said means consisting of a rotatable controller member comprising a plurality of discs, the first and third of which consist of insulating material and carry conductive segments and slip rings and brushes, the second of which consists of conducting material and carries an insulating segment and slip ring and brushes, a plurality of contacts engagedby the first disc for operating the remote control device, a lock engaging the controller member, and means upon the controller member for operating the said lock, a clock mechanism for rotating the said con: troller memberya rewinding motor for re winding, the said clock mechanism, and a means upon the controller member for operating the rewinding motor.

3. In remote control devices comprising a transmitter and receiver, means for synchonizing said transmitter and said receiver, each of said means consisting of a rotatable controller member, comprising'a plurality of discs the first and third of which consist Q of insulating material and carry conductive segments and slip rings and brushes; the

second of which consists of conducting material and carries an insulating-segment and slip ring and brushes, a plurality of contacts engaged by thefirst disc for operating the remote control device, a lock engaging the.

controller member, and means upon the controller member for operating the said lock, said means consisting of a source of power, an electric circuitfrom the source of power comprising a master relay, the brush and collector ring of the first disc, the conductive segment and one contact engaged by'the first ,disc, and the look operating solenoid, a clock mechanism for rotating the said controller member, a rewinding motor for re- Winding the said clock mechanism at the end of the motionimparted to the discs by the clock mechanism, and a means upon the con troller'member for operating the rewinding motor, said means consisting of a source of power, a solenoid operating a relay in the circuit of the rewinding motor, and an elec-- tric circuit from the source of powerrthrough the said solenoid to the brushes of second and third discs, the second disc operating to close said relay, and the third disc operating to open said relay. t

4. In a synchronizing system for remote control devices comprising a transmitter and a receiver and timing devices for the transmitter and the receiver, each of said timing devices consisting of a plurality of discs, a

clock mechanism, a rewinding motor vfor rewind-ing the clock mechanism. and means upon the discs for operating the rewinding V motor. only when said transmitter is inoperative.

5.111 a synchronizing system for remote control devices comprising a transmitter and a receiver and timing devices for the transmitter and the receiver, each of saidtiming vdevices consistin of a plurality of-discs the first and third 0 which consist of insulating material and carry conductive segments an collector rings and brushes, the second of which consists of .conductiv material and carries an insulating segmen and a collector ring and brush, a magnetic lock engaging one of the discs, a source of power, an electric circuit for the first disc comprising a brush engaging the conductive segment, an electrical connection through the coil of the magnetic lock, the sourcei i-ftif power, a relay and the brush and collectorring of the first disc," a clock. mechanism for rotating the discs, a ,rewinding motor mechanically coupled to the clock mechanism and means engaging the other discs for operating the rewinding motor at the end of the motion imso parted to the discs bythe clock mechanism. 6. In a synchronizin system for remote control devices comprising a transmitter and a receiver and timing devices forthe transmitter and the receiver, each of said timing devices consisting of a plurality of discs, the

brush and collector ring of the first disc, a

clock mechanism for rotating the discs, a rewinding motor mechanically coupled to p the clockmechanism and means engaging the other discs for operating the rewinding motor at the end of the motion imparted to the discs by the clock mechanism, said means consisting of a relay the coils and one set of contacts of which are in series with the source of power and the brushes engaging the second disc, another pair of contacts of said relay in series with the rewinding motor and the source of power. v

' 7. In a synchronizing system for remote control devices comprising a transmitter and a receiver and timing devices for the transmitter and the receiver, each of said timing devices consisting of a plurality of discs, the first and third of which consist of insulating material and carry conductive segments and collector rings and brushes, the second of which consists of conductive material and carries an insulating segment and a collector ring and brush, a magnetic lock engaging one of the discs, a source of power, an electrio circuit for the first. disc comprising a brush engaging'the conductive segment, an electr1'ca1\connection through the coil of the magnetic lock, the source of power, a relay and the brush and collector ring of the first discs, a rewinding motor mechanically coupled to the clock mechanismand means engaging the other discs for o crating the rewindlng motor at the end 0 the motion imparted to the discs by the clock mechanism, said means consisting of a relay, the coils and one setof contacts of which are in series with the source of power and the brushes engagingthe second disc, another pair of contacts ofsaid relayl in' series with the rewinding motor and t e source of power and means for shifting the circuit of the rewindilpgmotor.

mitter and the receiver, each of said timing devices consistin of a'plurality ofdiscs, the first and third 0 which consist of insulatin material and carry conductive segments an collector rings and brushes, the second of which consists of conductive material and carries an insulating segment and a collector disc, a clocln mechanism. :for rotating the' a synchronizing system for remote 0 control devices comprlsmg a transmitter and. Ya receiver and t1m1ng devices for the trans- 10 the clock mechanism and means engaging the other discs for operating the rewinding motor at the end of the motion imparted to the discs by the clock mechanism, said means consisting of a relay the coils and one set of contacts of which are in series with the source 'of power and the brushes engaging the second disc, another pair of contacts of said relay in series with the rewinding motor and the source of power, and means for shifting the circuit of the rewinding motor, said means consisting of a brush engaging the third disc and in series with the source of power, the coils of the relay and the brush engaging the collector ring on the third disc.

CARLOS B. MIRICK. 

